NFL Playoff Picture: Week 17 Outcomes That Will Shape Postseason

The Week 17 games and outcomes that will shape this year's playoffs are revealed below. It is going to be a wild closing week, as the playoff existence of several teams still hangs in the balance.

If you can't wait to see what is going to happen, just keep reading to find the answers.

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals

Prediction: Ravens 23, Bengals 17

Andy Dalton threw for 373 yards the first time these two teams met. He also chucked three interceptions. One of these is much more likely to be duplicated than the other, and that is the interceptions.

The Ravens defense is not going to let this team lose the season finale with a division championship on the line.

Aftermath

The Ravens will be the AFC North champions. The Bengals will still have a slim shot of winning the wild card with a loss, but as you'll see below, that is not going to happen.

San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams

Prediction: 49ers 24, Rams 3

The Rams are impressively awful. They have scored just 26 points in their last four games. That stretch includes a shutout levied by the 49ers.

This game will not be much different than their first meeting, which the 49ers won 26-0.

Aftermath

The 49ers will lock up the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye with the win.

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos

Prediction: Chiefs 24, Broncos 17

Tim Tebow's disintegration into a turnover-prone QB last week in the Broncos 40-14 trouncing by the Bills is alarming, but not as worrisome as their recent run of horrible defense.

The Broncos have allowed 35 points in three of their last four games. This is going to give Kyle Orton too many opportunities to gain ultimate revenge on the team that cut him.

Aftermath

With this loss the Broncos will leave themselves vulnerable to losing the AFC West. And to that end...

San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders

Prediction: Raiders 27, Chargers 24

The Raiders are too physical for the Chargers. They have been able to dominate them on the line of scrimmage, and this is why they have beaten them three straight times.

The Chargers will not be able to reverse this trend now that they suddenly have nothing to play for and will be playing in a rowdy Black Hole in Oakland.

Aftermath

The Raiders will win the AFC West.

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans

Prediction: Titans 20, Texans 13 

The Texans are reeling. They have lost two straight, and have been unable to move the ball. They will enter this game with absolutely nothing to play for, and will be unable to keep the Titans from victory.

Don't expect the Texans to give a big workload to Arian Foster in this game, and they will not be able to win without him.

Aftermath

With this win, and the combination of results above, the Titans will be the AFC's final wild card entrant.

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

Prediction: Giants 31, Cowboys 24

The Cowboys' running game is disappearing with the loss of DeMarco Murray and the increased workload taking its toll on Felix Jones.

This is going to put a bigger burden on Tony Romo, and while he is expected to play with his bruised hand, he is not going to be able to maintain the pace needed to keep up with Eli Manning and the Giants. 

Aftermath

The Giants will win the NFC East, and the Cowboys will be stuck at home.